Whether you are a type 1 or type 2 diabetic, sugared soft drinks should not be on your menu. If you are a type 1, you need to raise blood sugar and get your energy from fresh or dried fruits. If you are type 2, sugar should be off the table – for life. However; have you ever given much thought as to how to avoid diabetes altogether?

If you have gestational diabetes, even more care is required, because you can pass the tendency to this disease on to all your offspring.

In fact, it’s now a distinct possibility that as few as two sugared drinks a day could double the risk of developing both type 1 diabetes – an autoimmune disorder – and type 2 diabetes, according to a new study out of Sweden.

Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for about 92 percent of all diagnosed diabetes cases in the United States, is generally regarded as a disease of lifestyle related to obesity, lack of exercise, and poor dietary choices. About 28.5 million Americans have diabetes.

Other Forms of Diabetes

Sugared drinks, also called soft drinks, also increase the risk of developing latent autoimmune diabetes, which shares characteristics with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes, or glucose intolerance, develops slowly, and victims may not need insulin for at least six months after diagnosis, but the process is inevitable nonetheless.

In short, notes the study, from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, each soft drink you consume raises your risk for developing diabetes by 20 percent. And that’s a lot. Double that, to about 24 ounces (about 700 ml) and you have insulin waiting in the wings for you whether you want it or not.

In addition to the forms mentioned above, diabetes can also appear as:

MODY, or Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (irreversible), develops later than Type 1 diabetes but usually before age 25. It is often genetic, and does not always require insulin treatment.

Double diabetes (irreversible) is an autoimmune disease like Type 1.

Type 3 diabetes is insulin resistance in the brain (reversibility unknown), and some researchers now associate it with Alzheimer’s disease.

Steroid-induced diabetes (irreversible in context) can result from the use of steroids in treating asthma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (RAs), and certain forms of inflammatory bowel disease.

Brittle diabetes (irreversible), a hard-to-control form of Type 1 diabetes, which has elements of IBD, thyroid imbalance, and adrenal gland malfunction.

Secondary diabetes (irreversible), which results from certain health conditions like cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, and polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, to name a few.

Diabetes insipidus (unknown), a very rare form of diabetes that results from excessive urination.

The Role of Insulin in Diabetes

Insulin is made in the pancreas and helps the body convert sugar into energy as part of the metabolic process.

When the pancreas fails to work as well as it should, most patients are diagnosed with diabetes, usually type 2 diabetes. Doctors may also refer to something called “metabolic syndrome”, which is a whole complex of problems, type 2 diabetes being only one aspect of a general, body-wide failure.

Diabetic researchers have begun to believe that one aspect of diabetes (at least, type 2 diabetes) may be as simple as energy storage. Until the problem is identified and fixed, however, insulin is the weapon of choice when diabetics are no longer able to control their blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, and oral medications.

Insulin currently comes in liquid form, in vials or prefilled pens, and is injected by “units” into a fatty area on the body, typically belly, thigh, or forearm, in either slow-acting or fast-acting formulas. In the latter case, one unit typically represents about 10 degrees above normal blood sugar, which is considered to range from less than 100 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) before meals to up to 140 mg/dl up to two hours after meals.

The Future of Insulin

Not too far in the future, expect to get insulin from a patch, an implanted pump, a skin port (like a permanent IV port), or even inhaled insulin. Some scientists are even looking at a bionic pancreas, surgically inserted to take over where the pancreas has failed.

Until we reach that wonderful future, the best thing diabetics can do – for themselves and their loved ones – is to eat right (no sweets, fewer carbohydrates, lots of veggies, focus on lean proteins), exercise, and getting restful sleep. Believe it or not, sleep apnea may be a leading trigger for diabetes and insulin resistance. So if you sleep badly, wake frequently, and never feel rested, see your doctor.

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Spring is finally here, and the time has come to step away from the sweaty indoor track and out into the open air. Jogging in the spring is a classic activity that runners—especially those runners who live in northern states—look forward to all year. Spring is also a popular for time for new runners to pick up the hobby.

Like all hobbies, springtime jogging requires some specific equipment. Running is, of course, much less gear-heavy than many other sports, but you will still need to buy a few things if you’re going to be safe and happy while getting in your daily workout. But what’s good and what’s a waste? Choosing which items to buy can be a tough problem for runner, no matter the experience level. Here are few good picks for this year’s springtime runners.

Shoes

One of the best things about having running as your hobby is that it’s so simple to gear up. Throw on some comfortable clothes, slip some shoes on, and you’re off to the races! But shoe shopping is much more complicated than it used to be. Sports scientists and athletic equipment companies spend lots of time and money coming up with innovate approaches to shoes. It’s sort of like reinventing the wheel, except that it works and is incredibly useful.

But which shoes to get? Here are some high quality kicks that’ve been putting a spring in the step of many industry leaders:

New Balance 1500v2. Runner’s World Magazine put these nifty little guys at the number one spot on their Best Running Shoes of 2015 feature. According to the experts at that magazine, the 1500v2 are light, react well to your feet’s movements, and have a good fit. They’ll run you over a hundred bucks, but that’s really not so bad for a product that’s going to help build you into a lean, energetic athlete this spring.

Saucony Triumph ISO 2. These bouncy bad boys landed the number two spot on Runner’s World’s list. The magazine cited some hi tech fabric that results in flexibility, bounce, and comfort. They’ll cost you about 150 dollars.

Shirt and Pants Fabric

Some traditionalists might not be excited about having to buy a fancy shirt for their morning jog, but believe it or not, the right apparel can make or break a run. Running will make you sweat, and if you’re wearing the wrong clothes, that sweat will drag you down. Heavy, hot, gross, and exhausted, you’ll stagger home like a college kid after a night at the bar; distractions can lead to injuries. You don’t want that. Wear light clothes created with runners in mind in order to keep your body feeling cool, relaxed, and energetic. Lighter clothes are sure to assist you as you make your way through the congested crosswalk. Be sure to remember to look both ways before crossing to ensure safety. According to Long Island accident lawyers, “drivers have an obligation to the safety of pedestrians”.

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Diabetes is a metabolism malfunction, connected to the inability of the body to convert glucose. The symptoms for diabetes in an individual are often quite evident. Symptoms often include: frequent urination, constant feeling of thirstiness, hunger even after having eaten, extreme sense of fatigue, problems with vision (blurry), and really slow process of healing of cuts and bruises. This slow healing can lead to a dangerous complication that can result from chronically high blood sugar levels.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of systemic disease such as diabetes. This disorder occurs because of the malfunction of nerves which have been destroyed or damaged. Because of this, the transmission of signals is significantly interrupted, thus causing the sense of pain even though there may be nothing wrong in that area, or the opposite of not sending pain signals when something isn’t right. This can cause loss of sensation and numbness usually in the extremities. This happens very often in the feet. It is estimated that about 70 percent of those with consistently high blood sugar levels will eventually develop peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetes is one of the top causes for this type of neuropathy. It usually appears in people with diabetes that are overweight, over 40 years old or have significantly high blood pressure. This is extremely dangerous because even a slight injury to the foot can easily go unnoticed and can turn into a more serious scenario, possibly even leading to amputation.

The Dangers of Skin Wounds

With the nerve damage diabetes causes, the proper function of the immune system of the body is interrupted. People suffering from diabetes often have problems with infections and coagulation from open wounds. Some precautions need to be taken in order to prevent these minor wounds from becoming an even bigger problem. In case this happens, the individual should take action as soon as possible to prevent a build-up of bacteria and the creation of larger bacteria colony. Some immediate steps to take are to place the wound under a water stream to clean any dirt or debris from the wound. After that, it is important to apply an antibacterial ointment on the open wound and cover it with a sterile bandage. It is not recommended to use soap, iodine or hydrogen peroxide as this will only increase the irritation. Soap should only be applied around the areas of the wound, but not on it. Be sure to change the bandage every day and put on a new sterile bandage, while making sure to clean the area around it each time.

Regardless of how minor the injury may seem, it is very important to consult with your doctor and get the injury checked out. Even minor skin rashes or wounds are advised to be seen by a professional in order to prevent bigger problems. Especially if the location is the foot (diabetics are prone to have blisters on such areas), stay off the foot as much as possible.

The best therapy is prevention; if you suffer from diabetes check your feet daily for any changes on the skin. Practice proper and diligent hygiene, and wear proper socks and shoes. Also, take care when clipping toenails, and keep an eye out for ingrown nails, as they can result in bigger issues as well.

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People with diabetes often wonder whether strength training is safe for them. The answer is YES! Strength training is one of the best things you can do for your body, especially if you suffer from diabetes. Training not only helps you to lose weight, reduces the risk of a heart disease, and improves your overall health, but it also helps your body to respond better to insulin, and improve the way it uses blood sugar. Let us see then how strength training should be performed correctly if you suffer from diabetes.

How Hard You Should Exercise

While your goal should always be to train hard enough to advance your strength and endurance, you should not push yourself too far. Whether you are a beginner or returning to exercise after some long period, aim for 40-60% of your heart rate, and after you progress raise that number to 60-80%. Your training sessions should last somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes, but take into consideration that you should always spare at least 5 minutes for warm up. Do 8-12 reps in each set, and adjust weights and the number of sets according to your current fitness level as the time goes by.

Using Supplements

Of course, once your workout routine becomes more intense, or you simply feel that you are not progressing fast enough, you may consider using Amino Z supplements. You can do no harm by taking creatine as pre-workout and protein as post-workout supplement, but you should always check ingredients and consult your physician before consumption.

Which Exercises You Should Do

The choice of your routine will depend on your motivation (losing fat and becoming buff are two different things require drastically different approaches), but here are few exercises that will get you started regardless of your end goals:

Curls – Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing up, and then curl up your arms to bring the weights to your shoulders.

Wall squats – Place your back against the wall, and then bend your knees until you are in a sitting position. Hold for few seconds and then go back to standing.

Additional Tips

Focus on regularity rather than intensity and do your best to exercise at the same time of the day to make training a part of your daily routine. Minimise the risk of hypoglycemia with meals – one 2 hours prior and one immediately after the exercise – stay hydrated, and start with lighter weights. They will not increase your blood pressure as much as some heavier loads.

Finally, we should mention one more very important thing – If you have type 1 diabetes (your blood glucose level is greater than 250mg/dl), you should skip strength training altogether. If that level is greater than 300mg/dl avoid any kind of resistance training without a prior consultation with your doctor.

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Diabetes, to most people, is a bad, scary word. Diabetes conjures up images of sick people who need to obsess over food and put themselves in harm’s way on a regular basis. To this line of thought, diabetes is life sentence, and bad consequence of decades’ worth of bad eating and sloppy living, however what if we changed our focus on this type of thinking.

Does it have more to do with shame and guilt than with reality? Will type 2 diabetes really ruin you life? Read on to find out how, to many people, diabetes is a life saver rather than the kiss of death

Diabetes Will Encourage You to Focus on Nutrition.

When you develop diabetes, you will need to focus on what you eat, and you’ll need to keep in mind the ways in which what you eat affects your entire body. This may have have unexpected benefits.

Keeping your nutrition in mind when you plan, fix, and eat meals will leave you a healthier person in ways far beyond the ones related to your diabetes. If you speak to dietitians frequently, you’ll notice some patterns in their recommendations: don’t overeat; make sure you’re getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; avoid processed food and saturated fats; and get lots of exercise. The reason dietitians recommend these strategies is so many health situations is that these guidelines will benefit every part of your health.

So when you focus on your diabetes when planning your diet, you’ll be helping more than just your blood sugars. A diabetes friendly diet will help your heart, your energy levels, your brain, and much more.

Diabetes Will Help You Focus Your Routines

Diabetes will help you stay focused. Having to make decisions all the time is tiring. Before diabetes, you probably wasted time thinking about what to eat, when to exercise, and how to organize your life. You probably flip-flopped back and forth about how to run your life, how healthy you wanted to be, and how much effort you wanted to spend taking care of yourself.

Diabetes changes all that. When your doctor tells you that you need to cut out refined sugars and processed foods, to incorporate more exercise into your routine, and always maintain focus on what’s good for your body, you know for certain what you need to do. Many diabetes patients credit the disease with giving them purpose in life. When you have a clear problem, you have a clear goal.

Diabetes Will Give You Things to Think About

Despite all of its drawbacks, diabetes is interesting. When you develop the disease, you’ll have a lot to think about. When you research your condition, you’ll learn about many things: your blood, your diet, and your digestion. And you’ll have concrete examples of all of these things to look at everyday—eating certain foods will lead to higher numbers in your blood sugar charting, and you’ll be able to observe patterns. These are all fascinating topics which lead to a strange conclusion: having diabetes is intellectually stimulating.

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To some people, diabetes can be a fated nemesis that will remain for life. Most people might be unaware that diabetes can also be inherited. Medical history from other family members are certainly risk factors, but lifestyle is the ultimate determinant. Diabetes has restricted many people from having their favorite foods at their own chosen times, and that alone is a reason why diabetes is such an ill-fated ailment. Possible health complications only make living with these disease worse. With that in mind, it may be obvious to ask if there is truly no cure for diabetes. Could it be that there is a pharmaceutical conspiracy at a global level manipulating people’s sufferings as they please for financial gain?

Price of Medicine

Like most ailments, it does not come cheap. Having the need to control and maintain your diet can sometimes involve insulin, oral agents and injectable medications that can be quite costly, especially for such extended periods of time. For those with diabetes, the equipment needed varies depending on the type of diabetes. For type 2, which is a more severe variation, monitors and test strips are necessary. With so many millions of Americans suffering from this, pharmaceutical companies are definitely making a huge profit selling medication and equipment to treat it.

Conspiracy Theories vs Cure for Diabetes

There are scientists who claim to have discovered the cure to diabetes only to be silenced by big corporations. This is done by not allowing for the proper research to be conducted, as well as not allowing it to go past the laboratory phase. Rumors abound, but no cure is to be found. Documentaries have been produced stating this same claim, however, no one really knows if it is a true account or an attempt at attention and publicity. Others claim that they have found ‘miracle cures’. Unfortunately, most of these claims have no scientific basis. Although those are just claims, there really is a new breakthrough pill that is showing promise in research. It consists of probiotic bacteria that is thought to shift glucose levels in the pancreas. This bacteria was engineered to secrete a peptide that may release insulin as a response to food. Scientists hope to be able to bring it to market as soon as it is deemed safe and effective. It is believed to cure both types of diabetes.

Healthy lifestyle

Although many conspiracies that there is a cure for diabetes exist, no one to date has been able to prove said claims. Until then, there is nothing that can beat a healthy lifestyle. Keep in mind that diabetes can still be overcome. Diabetes is mainly affected by your blood sugar level. Though it may seem easier than most may think, avoiding sugar in your everyday diet is not something that can easily be done without dedication and resolve. Sticking to home-cooked foods helps, as well as keeping track of your diet and blood sugar levels. With resolute, will, and effort when adhering to a healthy lifestyle and diet can help you live a long and healthy life.